Manchester United report record revenue levels on the back of new sponsorship deals - and are set to get richer still

Money-chester United: Players like David Beckham help sell the Manchester United brand (Image: MEN)

Share

Get Manchester United FC updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Manchester United have reported a record revenue of £98.5million - but are set to become even richer.

United revealed the record figure for the first quarter of the financial year of almost £100m - an increase of over 29 per cent.

The Premier League champions have 12 new sponsorship deals to thank for the rise, with a 63 per cent leap in sponsorship income and an increase in earnings from TV deals.

United predict revenue of £420-430m for the entire year, based on a worst-case scenario of finishing third in the Premier League and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and both domestic cups.

But Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reckons BT Sport’s new deal for exclusive Champions League rights will see the club’s revenue streams boosted even more.

Woodward said: “We’re excited by the continuing rise in the value of sports content, evidenced, amongst other things, by the recently-announced BT deal for the UK rights to broadcast the Champions League and Europa League matches for three seasons from 2015-16.

“This deal represents a meaningful increase over the current arrangement, which should translate into higher broadcasting revenues for the participating clubs.”

United’s overall debt remains around the same level, at £361m, but the cost of servicing the debt has dropped considerably, by 21 per cent, to £9.8m for the quarter, due to refinancing which allowed for a much lower interest rate.

On United’s record quarterly revenue, Woodward said: “We’re pleased to have achieved another record first quarter, driven by the strength of our commercial business and increased broadcasting revenues.

“Our unique approach to the commercial business will continue to drive future growth.”